Reading Notation
Japanese is usually written using kanji, hiragana, and katakana, but for those who cannot read them, we use the Roman alphabet.
There are several ways to transcribe it, but this site uses the Hepburn system, which is the most accurate for pronunciation. There are other systems like Kunrei-system, which is simpler and easier for Japanese people, and some confusing systems that are close to keyboard input, but the Hepburn system is the most formal method. Please feel free to use this site with confidence.
Name Notation
In many Western countries, names are called in the order of first name and family name. However, in Japan and some other countries, names are called in the order of family name and first name. Japanese names are often called in the Western order in international settings where English is used, but respecting diversity, the original naming order may be used.
This site mixes these two naming orders. I apologize for any confusion. Since this site is also for those learning Japanese, especially when showing Japanese names in Roman alphabet, we use the order of family name first and first name second to avoid confusion. In such cases, the family name may be written in all capitals (This method is used in the Olympics broadcasts. In other cases). We generally use the first name followed by the family name.
By the way, “Takuya” is my first name.
(Example)
- “Taro Yamada is a famous singer in Japan.”
- 山田 太郎 (やまだ たろう) – Yamada Tarō
Imported Words Notation
Imported words are Japanese words derived from foreign languages. Therefore, they are pronounced in a Japanese style. For example, the English word “rock star” was imported to Japan and became “rokku sutā.” Therefore, on this site, we do not write “rock star” for explain Japanse “rokku sutā.”
However, the case is a bit more complicated when it comes to song titles. Since song titles are like proper nouns, they should not be changed, but sometimes the artist changes the notation for the overseas market. For example, the song “プラスティック・ラブ” officially uses the English word “Plastic Love” instead of the Romanized “Purasutikku Rabu.” Also, although not official, using the original English words makes it more acceptable, so you might see the original English words in some cases.
On this site, if there is a common notation used for the world market, we adopt that for the article title. In the articles, we often use the Romanized version according to the Japanese pronunciation.
Some titles and lyrics are written in English from the beginning, but their pronunciations vary. In complicated cases, we will explain each one accordingly.
“Sweet Fake Reading”
I will explain a unique technique commonly used in Japanese poetry, song lyrics, and copywriting.
This technique assigns the reading of a different, similar word to a kanji. It appears so frequently in Japanese songs that I’ve decided to call it “Sweet Fake Reading” for now.
Let me give you an example. Please also refer to “Sweet Memories.”
幸福？と聞かないで
shiawase? to kikanai de
In this lyric, the kanji “幸福 / kōfuku”(=happiness) is used, but in the actual song, it is sung as “幸せ / shiawase”. These two words are almost the same, but “幸福 / kōfuku” is a rational and easy-to-use term borrowed from Chinese (a Sino-Japanese word wiki), while “幸せ / shiawase” is an original Japanese word (Wago wiki) with a more abstract, emotional nuance and a graceful sound typical of the Japanese language. Sweet Fake Reading is a way to take the best of both. However, there isn’t much reason to deliberately use the Sino-Japanese word in this case, so it could be considered a cliché.
Sweet Fake Reading can be viewed as a type of “熟字訓 / jukujikun” (special reading wiki), where a Wago reading is applied to a Sino-Japanese word, but what makes it special is that it’s not a generally accepted reading and places importance on sound. Some might find it a bit pretentious.
You don’t need to memorize Sweet Fake Readings for each word, but as a Japanese learner, I hope you enjoy this as a good opportunity to learn both types of words.